Not guilty.' Plus, full finals footy review!
Kenty and Woz address the headlines surrounding Brandon Smith’s court appearance and the betting allegations that have surfaced and discuss the weekend's finals football matches between the Raiders and Sharks, and the Bulldogs and Panthers.
Brandon Smith’s "not guilty" plea and the betting charge
Kenty provided an update on Brandon Smith’s court appearance, noting that the hooker’s lawyer has indicated a plea of not guilty to the charges laid against him. While the case is ongoing, Kenty expressed frustration with how the NRL handles disclosures regarding team lineups and betting.
"Under the strict letter of the law he may have broken that rule... but to try and put a like a match fixing sort of scandal, a charge on him for that, I find it ridiculous."
Kenty argued that the bookmakers should bear more responsibility for their odds. "When the bookies get the odds wrong because they haven't done enough research... that's on them to me."
The character of Smith and Radley
Addressing the public perception of Brandon Smith and Victor Radley, Kenty offered a staunch defense of their characters, despite the current legal clouds.
"Brandon Smith is one of the the finest men I've met in rugby league... and Victor Bradley I'll put it uh up there on the uh the top shelf with him."
He described them as "old-fashioned men" who are perhaps "too kind to people sometimes," which may have contributed to their current predicament.
The "moral police" and the Victor Radley rumors
Kenty took aim at the rumors that the Roosters are looking to move Victor Radley on, and the broader hypocrisy he sees in the NRL's disciplinary actions.
"Now that it's public the NRL is suddenly coming in with the big stick acting like there's some sort of moral moral police and I just find the hypocrisy of that just alarming to be honest."
He compared the potential fallout for Radley to other high-profile drug-related incidents where players received relatively minor fines and short suspensions.
Raiders vs. Sharks: A battle of history and grit
Looking ahead to Saturday night’s clash, Kenty noted the historical precedent for the Raiders. In 1994, the last time they won the premiership, they also lost a semi-final before bouncing back.
"A finals loss is not a we've done it before devastating and we can do it again."
While he gives the Sharks the edge in the outside backs, Kenty believes the Raiders’ pack and the kicking game of Jamal Fogarty give them a distinct advantage. "The Raiders just got the best pack in the NRL."
Bulldogs vs. Panthers: Can the "boy genius" be stopped?
Turning to the Sunday afternoon game, Kenty acknowledged the Panthers are heavy favorites but believes the Bulldogs are being undervalued.
"I think Canterbury are looking much better than what people are giving them credit for."
However, he praised the "masterclass" from Ivan Cleary this season, particularly how he managed the team through a mid-season slump. "In that process their defense has found the old Penrith defense... the new guys now understand the systems."
The return of Jerome Hughes
Kenty predicted a major boost for the Melbourne Storm in their upcoming preliminary final, suggesting that halfback Jerome Hughes will likely be fit to play.
"The fact that it's not in a a full cast suggests to me that it's not a a big break... I dare say I think Jerome Hughes will be a similar situation."
He expects Craig Bellamy to demand Hughes prove his fitness in the preliminary final if he wants to start in the grand final.
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